SOMERSET County Cricket Club has handed a one-year contract to its latest rising star George Bartlett.

The 18-year-old, who graduated from the Somerset CCC Academy, signed the contract earlier today.

The right-handed batsman, who also bowls off spin, has played through the Somerset age groups and is the latest budding cricketer to come through the ranks at the Cooper Associates County Ground.

After signing his contract, George said: “Signing for Somerset is something that I have wanted for a number of years, so to be offered a contract to join the professional staff is really good and something that I am really looking forward to.

“Hopefully over the winter and next year my game will develop and move on so I could potentially get a chance to play in the first team in 2017.”

He made his debut for Somerset Second XI in 2014 and since then he has gone onto represent England at Under 19 level and last winter he played in the Under 19 World Cup.

George’s highlights of 2016 were scoring a century for England against Sri Lanka in the Under 19 Test Match plus his century for Somerset against Yorkshire Second XI. He also played for Somerset in the finals of both the Second XI T20 and Second XI Trophy compettions.

Somerset Director of Cricket Matt Maynard said: “George is an exciting young batting talent and we are very pleased to be able to offer him a contract. “This year he has been a key member of the successful Somerset Second XI where he has scored vital runs, often in difficult situations.”